Earlier this summer, I attended the 35th General Synod of the United Church of Christ in Kansas City, where I was honored to serve as an elected delegate.
The Synod happens every three years, and it is the national gathering of all of the 5,000 UCC churches in the United States.
And one of the things I discovered is that our UCC churches are all so different. One of Conference Ministers actually said, “If you’ve seen one UCC church…you’ve seen one UCC church.”
And, it’s true. Some of our churches are in small rural areas with less than 10 church members. Other UCC churches are in big urban cities with hundreds of members.
Some churches are very formal and traditional. Others are very casual and laid back.
Some take the Bible literally. Others understand it more symbolically.
Some of our churches are very focused on justice…making signs and organizing rallies and marches in their own local communities.
Other churches are focused more on the environment…installing solar panels and planting green gardens (instead of grass lawns) at their church.
Some churches very mission driven, while others prioritize the internal needs of their own church community.
And, so, at the Synod this summer, I was asked several times, “What is your church is Rowayton like?”
Well, as most of you know, I just arrived here last year, and, in some ways, I’m still learning who you are and what this church is about.
And, this summer, I read a book that really helped me put into words what this church is about.
The book is called “It Never Rains in Rowayton,” and it was written by one of our church members, Joyce Meurer.
In the book, Joyce talks about her life here in Rowayton. And, even though I just moved here last year, I recognized so many of the names and the people Joyce writes about in the book.
For example, she talks about how Betty Berry was the realtor who helped her find a home here. She talks about getting married here in this church back when Don Emig when the pastor.
She talks how (when as newlyweds) she and her husband, Ray, went to the Hardware Store to have some papers notarized, and how Lou and Lois Froelich said there was “no charge” for the new bride and groom.
She talks about the fun times she and Ray spent out on the water with David and Carolyn Snyder, and about how John Livingston and Lynne Pratt came to help when Ray got sick.
She talks about how Ann DiLeone came to her rescue during Hurricane Sandy, and how people like Stephanie Close brought over food after Ray died.
And, when I finished the book, it hit me: this church is a family….people who lovingly walk with one another in moments of joy and sadness.
I heard that over-and-over this past year at memorial services for June and Petrea and Terry…about how much this church was an integral part of their lives. A second family!
THAT is what this church is all about, and I’m so very glad and grateful that you have welcomed me and Gregg into your family this past year.
And, that’s why being back here in the church today with all of you feels like “coming home.”
Some of you may know the beautiful song called “Home” from the Broadway musical, The Wiz. In it, Dorothy sings, “When I think of home, I think of place where there is love overflowing.”
And, there is so much love overflowing here in our spiritual home, isn’t there?
Home is a place where people can simply be themselves. A place of love and acceptance.
It doesn’t mean we always agree on everything, but there’s room for discussion and different viewpoints.
Sadly, many who grew up in the Christian Church have not always had such a positive experience. For them, church was a place of judgement and conformity.
That’s why we need to let people know that we are a different kind of church.
And, that’s what the UCC’s “Be the Church” campaign is all about. You’ll see a new banner hanging in the front of the church, which I brought back from the Synod this summer.
This banner (this campaign) is something we’re going to put our focus on in the coming weeks.
It serves as a visual reminder of some of the ways we (as a church) can put Jesus’s greatest commandment into practice: To love God and to love our neighbor as ourselves.
In his final discourse to his disciples, Jesus declared his wish for all of us. It comes from John 17:21, and these are his words that are now written on our UCC logo: “That they may all be One.”
Jesus wanted us to recognize our Oneness: Our Oneness with God, with one another, and with all of creation.
One Bread. One Body. One Family.
I love this church family, but, you know, there are people here in our community-at-large whom we have not met yet…people who seeking a spiritual home, where they can be themselves, where they can find acceptance and hope and love.
So, as we begin a new church year together, my friends, may we roll out the “Welcome Mat” for them, prepare a place at the table for them, and invite them with open arms into our Family of Faith.
I’m so excited to see all the amazing things that God has in store for us this upcoming church year.
So welcome back. And welcome home.